Do I need a TB test to move to the UK from East Africa?

Yes. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia are all on the UK's mandatory TB testing list. You must obtain a chest X-ray certificate from an approved clinic before applying for any UK visa of more than six months. The certificate is valid for six months.

Which East African countries are Commonwealth members?

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are all Commonwealth member states. Ethiopia and Somalia are not. Commonwealth citizenship gives certain advantages in the UK, including the right to vote in elections once resident and potential eligibility for the Ancestry visa if you have a UK-born grandparent.

Can I claim asylum in the UK from East Africa?

You can claim asylum if you are in the UK and have a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. Asylum claims from Somalia, Eritrea, and parts of Ethiopia have historically had higher grant rates. You cannot apply for asylum from outside the UK — you must be physically present in the country.

What is the UK Resettlement Scheme?

The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) allows refugees identified by UNHCR to be resettled in the UK directly from refugee camps or host countries. This is different from claiming asylum after arrival. East African refugees, particularly from Somalia and Eritrea, have been resettled through this programme. You cannot apply directly — you must be referred by UNHCR.

How do I prove my English language ability from East Africa?

You must take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI or LanguageCert. If you hold a degree taught and examined in English from a recognised university, you may be exempt. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania use English as an official or working language, but this alone does not exempt you from the test requirement — you still need a formal qualification or SELT result.

How long does UK visa processing take from East Africa?

Processing times vary by visa type and location. Skilled Worker and Student visas typically take 3 to 8 weeks. Spouse visas can take 12 to 24 weeks. Asylum decisions can take several months to over a year. VFS Global centres in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam process most UK visa applications for the region.

Moving to the UK from East Africa: Complete Guide 2026

Q: What visa routes are available for Kenyans moving to the UK?

Kenyans can apply for Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, Spouse and Family visas, and the Health and Care Worker visa. As a Commonwealth citizen, a Kenyan with a UK-born grandparent may also be eligible for the Ancestry visa. The most common routes are the Skilled Worker visa and Student visa.

Updated 27 March 202613 min read

What you need to know

•Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are Commonwealth members with voting rights once resident in the UK.
•All five countries require a TB test for UK visa applications over six months.
•Somalia and parts of Ethiopia have significant refugee and asylum pathways.
•The Skilled Worker visa and Student visa are the most common work and study routes.
•English is an official language in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, but a formal SELT or degree is still required.
•VFS Global operates visa application centres in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam.

East Africa sends applicants to the UK across a wide range of visa routes. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are Commonwealth nations with strong student and skilled worker flows. Ethiopia and Somalia have significant refugee and asylum dimensions. This guide covers the shared requirements and the key differences between countries.

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East Africa's Connection to the UK

East Africa and the United Kingdom share a complex history. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were all part of the British Empire, and all three are now Commonwealth member states. This means their citizens have certain rights in the UK that non-Commonwealth nationals do not, including the right to vote in general and local elections once resident.

Ethiopia and Somalia have different histories but nonetheless significant migration ties to the UK. The Somali community in the UK is one of the largest in Europe, and Ethiopian migration has grown steadily through both skilled worker and family routes.

Common Requirements Across East Africa

TB Testing

All five East African countries are on the UK's mandatory TB testing list. You must get a tuberculosis screening test at an approved clinic before applying for any UK visa of more than six months. Approved clinics are located in Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, and (where accessible) Mogadishu or through regional referral.

Document Requirements

Documents from East African countries must be originals, accompanied by certified English translations where the original is not in English. Ethiopian documents in Amharic and Somali documents require professional translation. Kenyan, Ugandan, and Tanzanian documents are often in English but may need legalisation through the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Police clearance certificates are required for most long-term visa applications. These are obtained from:

Kenya: Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
Uganda: Uganda Police Force
Tanzania: Tanzania Police Force
Ethiopia: Federal Police Commission
Somalia: Where available, from the Federal Government of Somalia or regional state authorities

English Language

English is an official language in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. However, having English as an official language does not automatically exempt you from the English language requirement. You must either take an approved SELT test or hold a degree taught and examined in English from a university recognised by UK ENIC.

Visa Routes by Country

Kenya

Kenya is the largest source of UK visa applications in East Africa. The main routes are the Skilled Worker visa (particularly in healthcare, education, and IT), the Student visa, and the Spouse and Family visa. As a Commonwealth citizen, a Kenyan with a UK-born grandparent may be eligible for the Ancestry visa.

The VFS Global centre in Nairobi is the main visa application point for Kenya. Priority processing is available for some visa types.

Uganda

Uganda has a growing number of applicants for Skilled Worker and Student visas. The Ugandan diaspora in the UK is concentrated in London and the Midlands. Family visas are also a significant route.

The VFS Global centre in Kampala processes UK visa applications. Ugandan documents are typically in English but should be accompanied by any relevant verification from the issuing authority.

Tanzania

Tanzania sends a smaller but growing number of applicants to the UK, primarily through student and skilled worker routes. Swahili-language documents require certified English translation.

The VFS Global centre in Dar es Salaam is the visa application point. Tanzania is a Commonwealth member, so its citizens benefit from the same rights as Kenyan and Ugandan nationals once resident in the UK.

Ethiopia

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Ethiopia is not a Commonwealth member, but has a significant and growing diaspora in the UK. The main visa routes are Skilled Worker, Student, and Family visas. Some Ethiopian nationals have also been granted asylum based on political persecution or ethnic conflict.

Documents in Amharic must be accompanied by certified English translations. The VFS Global centre in Addis Ababa handles UK visa applications.

Somalia

Somalia has a distinct migration profile. The Somali community in the UK numbers over 100,000, making it one of the largest Somali diaspora communities globally. Many Somalis in the UK arrived through asylum and refugee routes during the civil conflict.

For new applicants, the main routes are family reunion (joining family members already settled in the UK) and the asylum process for those with a well-founded fear of persecution. The UK Resettlement Scheme also accepts referrals from UNHCR for Somali refugees in camps in Kenya and other host countries.

Refugee and Asylum Pathways

East Africa includes countries with active conflict and political instability. Somalia, in particular, has been a significant source of asylum claims in the UK for decades. Parts of Ethiopia have also experienced ethnic conflict that can form the basis of protection claims.

There are two main protection routes:

Asylum: You must be physically present in the UK to claim asylum. You cannot apply from abroad. If you are in the UK and fear returning to your country, you should claim asylum as soon as possible. For more information, see our UK asylum guide.
UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS): This allows UNHCR to refer refugees directly from camps or host countries for resettlement in the UK. You cannot apply yourself — you must be identified and referred by UNHCR.

Commonwealth Advantages

Citizens of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania benefit from Commonwealth membership in several ways once they are living in the UK:

Voting rights. Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK can vote in general elections, local elections, and referendums. This is a right not available to most other foreign nationals.
Standing for office. Commonwealth citizens can stand as candidates in elections.
Ancestry visa. Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent may be eligible for the Ancestry visa, which allows 5 years of unrestricted work in the UK.

For a full explanation of Commonwealth rights, see our guide to Commonwealth citizens' rights in the UK.

The Path to Settlement

Most visa routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence. Refugees granted asylum receive 5 years of leave and can then apply for ILR.

After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months. You will need to pass the Life in the UK test and meet the English language requirement at B1 level.

Costs Overview

The main costs for a UK visa from East Africa include:

Visa application fee: 284 GBP to 1,846 GBP depending on the route (asylum applications are free)
Immigration Health Surcharge: 1,035 GBP per year for most categories
TB test: approximately 50 to 100 GBP equivalent
English language test: approximately 150 to 200 GBP
Document translation and legalisation: varies by country

For a full breakdown, see our UK visa fees guide.

Next Steps

Identify your visa route and start gathering your documents early. Use our route-specific guides for detailed application guidance:

For official information, visit the GOV.UK visa checker and GOV.UK asylum guidance.

This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.

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